SSW students in class

Apply for BSW

With a UConn BSW degree, you can obtain entry-level employment or pursue graduate studies.

As part of a small supportive class cohort, students learn through vibrant class discussions to think critically about individual and social problems through a social justice framework. Based in the UConn Hartford campus in the diverse capital city, students are also involved in in-person, hands-on learning at innovative, community-based internship sites.

As a BSW graduate, you may be eligible to apply for our Advanced Standing program to obtain your Master of Social Work degree in less than a year (summer, fall, and spring semester required).

BSW Admission Qualifications

Applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements to apply:

UConn Students:

  • Must have completed a minimum of 54 credits** by the end of the spring semester of sophomore year, including all or most of the UConn general education credit requirements (Content Areas 1-4 and Competencies). These credits could have been earned at Storrs or one of the regional campuses.
  • Must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

Transfer Students:

Students transferring with credits from another college or university with BSW courses will only be eligible for a maximum of 12 transferrable BSW credits. Prospective students are required to meet with a member of the BSW Program to discuss an individualized academic program plan. Please email SWAdmission@uconn.edu to set up an appointment. Please be advised there is no guarantee that students will be able to complete the program in less than two years.

Students transferring from non-BSW programs can find more information about transfer admissions here.

**Please Note:  All students should be advised that they must have 120 credit hours total in order to graduate.  In most cases, students will have an additional 12-15 credits that need to be taken on top of their general education requirements (Content Areas 1-4 and Competencies) as well as the 52 credits required by the BSW major. For this reason, it is recommended that accepted students complete a total of 60 credits prior to the start of their junior year in the BSW program, though only 54 is required.

Application Deadline

The application for the BSW program will open on November 17.

The priority application deadline for the BSW Program is January 8, 2026. The application deadline for the BSW Program is February 15, 2026.  Applications submitted after the deadline will be considered on a space-available basis.

If you have any questions, please contact the Office of Student and Academic Services at 959.200.3605 or swadmission@uconn.edu.

Are There Prerequisites That Must Be Taken Before I Apply?

There are no prerequisites needed to apply for the BSW program. However, there are some recommended courses that can be helpful for interested students to take.

Preparing Your BSW Application

For a more detailed explanation of the application instructions listed below, please join us at one of our BSW Application Workshops or Information Sessions.

APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS

The School of Social Work evaluates applications holistically, considering student’s academic preparedness and their motivation and readiness for the study of professional social work. Applicants must submit all application materials electronically. These materials include:

  • Personal Statement
  • Current Resume
  • Unofficial Transcript
  • One recommendation form (submitted by reference, not by the student)

Please read through the following instructions carefully as you complete the application. Have your personal statement, resume, and unofficial transcript ready to upload as you complete the online application to the BSW Program.

Personal Statement

Your personal statement is a crucial part of your application. The statement's content and the quality of your writing will allow reviewers to understand your motivation as a prospective social work student and to assess your preparedness for undergraduate education in social work.

Your statement should answer the following questions:

  • Why do you want to pursue a professional degree in social work?
  • How have your experiences contributed to your interest in the profession of social work? How have they prepared you for social work education? Discuss how these experiences have helped you develop specific skills and/or personal qualities that are relevant to professional social work. (You may wish to refer to experiences such as past and/or current coursework, your life experiences, past or current employment, and/or volunteer/community service/internship roles.)
  • Social workers understand how diversity and difference characterize and shape the human experience. How does your experience with and/or knowledge of diversity inform your desire to obtain a BSW degree? (You may wish to refer to experiences such as course work, life experience, employment, volunteer/community service experience, travel, etc.)

Formatting instructions for your personal statement:

  • Use standard essay format.
  • Write one statement that addresses all three prompts.
  • Your statement should be approximately 3 pages, double-spaced (approximately 750 words).
  • Upload your statement into the online BSW application.

Writing tips:

  • Be specific and make sure that you fully address each prompt.
  • Make sure your statement expands beyond describing your personal life experiences and/or beyond discussing your desire to help people. You could mention what you learned in a course or employment experience that inspired you.

Current Resume

Upload a current resume as a PDF directly into the online BSW application.

Unofficial Transcript

Upload your transcript as a PDF directly into the online BSW application (for current UConn Students).

Recommendation

One recommendation is required.

Please select someone to complete the recommendation form who is able to discuss your college-level academic preparedness and who can assess your potential for success in a professional social work program.

Examples: an academic advisor; a current or past college/university instructor who can address your academic skills and/or potential.

To complete the “Reference Information” portion of application:

  • Enter name and contact information of your recommender in the online BSW application.
  • Email your recommender directly, requesting that they complete a recommendation form to support your application to the BSW program. You can attach the Recommendation Form.pdf to your email. Your email should direct the recommender to email the completed form to the UConn School of Social Work at swadmission@uconn.edu by the application deadline of February 15.

Transfer Students

The above instructions are for the pieces of the application that pertain to the Social Work Major that are in addition to the UConn Application requirements.  Click here for additional information on the UConn application. 

Begin Your BSW Application

Prior to completing your application, please read the information in the "Preparing Your Application" section.

Application opens on November 17, 2025

 

When Are Students Admitted to the Program?

Students are admitted into the program beginning in mid-March. Students must have earned a minimum of 54 credits to be considered a junior by the end of the spring semester.

Housing Options

Regardless of where the student lives, they will identify Hartford as their campus.

Who Can I Contact for More Information?

If you have questions about the application process, please contact Kathy Birnie, Admissions Coordinator for the School of Social Work at kathy.birnie@uconn.edu.

For questions about the program itself, you can work with your undergraduate advisor or contact the BSW Program Director, Paula Nieman, at Paula.Nieman@uconn.edu.